When making decisions, do you follow your heart or mind?

Every day, all of us need to make decisions. There are those we can easily make and know what to expect from. But there are also big and serious decisions that need more time, prayers, a clear mind and facts to get the results we want. Some friends advise us to follow our heart more than our head while others tell us to follow our head.

One thing is for sure — there are no crystal balls in life that will tell us how our future will be. For simple decisions, I would advise people to follow their heart, to go towards what will make them happy; for big decisions, it is always important to be more prudent and use your head wisely more than your heart. It’s best to accept with a happy heart whatever the outcome because you gave it your best.

Marawi Mayor Majul U. Gandamra

When I make decisions, especially of high significance, I discern well by drawing strength and guidance from my heart. And, of course, we seek guidance from Almighty Allah!

Makati Councilor Ichi Yabut

I am a devoted mother, a loyal friend, a committed public and church servant and an enabling community leader. In doing all these roles, I am compelled to make decisions promptly and efficiently. Decision requires definiteness of purpose, which is basically knowing what I want, and generally getting it. It requires a strong and pure mind.

On the other hand, out of a clean heart comes generous understanding of the situation . When a decision calls for faith and courage, only a clean heart can provide it. Therefore, in making a decision, I always use my head as I know it is the right thing to do but my decisions are always tweaked to consider the heart.

Lesley Tan, director of communications, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore

It depends. If it’s a situation that provokes or questions my judgment, or a purchasing decision, I decide with my mind, as I’m quite pragmatic. If it has anything to do with my family, friends or people I care about, I use my heart. But more than either the mind or heart, I listen to my gut. A woman’s intuition is so powerful and yet so underrated. We don’t tap this enough, but if we listen to our gut feel, it can help us make better decisions in life about our loved ones, about letting go or letting others in. 

Baham Mitra, chairman, Games and Amusement Board

All of us are confronted with various decisions to make on a daily basis. Some are small and of minor consequence while others are huge and potentially life changing.

For simple and obvious choices, I notice that it’s the heart that I always follow as it makes my decisions come with conviction because if it’s the mind then it might be dictated by the norms. This is also true when it comes to decision-making pertaining to issues aligned to my passions, values and priorities.

For those that are complex and painstaking and involves other stakeholders, as a public servant I cannot afford to be impulsive with my decisions. I get the facts, look at alternatives, consult with others, evaluating and being flexible.

There are no guarantees whether a decision will be correct. For me, decision-making is also risk-taking. I use my gut feel when there is no other option but to immediately decide.

Ciane Xavier Calma, visual artist

As much as I wanted to choose my heart in past decisions, I had to choose my mind.  Our hearts are incredibly wise, however sometimes what feels like an inner knowing is actually an emotional response, and for me when emotions take over in decision-making we do not think clearly. 

Lesley Mobo, international fashion designer

When making decisions I always follow my heart, which I believe gives the most sincere vibrations. Honoring such connection is something I always do. No doubt, the brain has its electric and magnetic field but apparently they are relatively weak compared with the heart’s which is about 100 times stronger electrically and 5,000 times stronger magnetically.

Lovie Poe, actress, Bench endorser

I follow my mind because some decisions from the heart can be purely selfish and consider only my own happiness.

Angelo Comsti, bestselling author, Fuss-Free Filipino Food and The Filipino Family Cookbook

It’s tough to rely on just one. Oftentimes, I even listen to what my gut tells me. For me, a certain degree of both should come into play. I assess the situation first then tap into my emotions, reason and intuition before making a verdict. But I’ve been guilty of making rash decisions too, a result of following just my mind or heart. I ended up regretting many of them.